Looking for recommendations for a quality balsamic

Hi - I love this forum, I've been lurking for some time. Thank you sharing so much of your collective knowledge. I'd like to invest in a really nice balsamic. Do you have a favorite(s)? I'm just a novice who aspires to better. Thanks.

Hi feeley,

I think the answer is, "it depends." What do you intend to use the balsamic for? Balsamics aged for a really long time are great for drizzling on fresh fruit (strawberries especially) straight from the bottle. Are you going to use it for salad dressings? A different type would be better for that. I like to make a sauce for steamed green beans by reducing a cup of balsamic way down (add shallots, too), then swirl in a copious amount of butter. Heavenly.

If you have a subscription to Cook's Illustrated, they did a taste-test comparison in March 2007: http://bit.ly/rEitQQ

Their favorite supermarket brand was Lucini Gran Riserva Balsamico, by the way.

Sharon

Lucini Gran Riserva Balsamico looks like the one for me - Thanks alot. Nice price point too.

Your treatment of greenbeans sounds, well, like you said, heaven.

I'm addicted to the Balsamic they sell at Old Town Oil. I picked it up all summer at the Evanston farmer's market, but yhey've got a store in Old Town and in Evanston. I think it's about $16 a bottle and it's what I use for every salad I make.

Jonah

Might want to at least visit City Olive in Andersonville. Won't be the cheapest in town, but they're very happy to talk about things and educate the customer. They also love to let you taste, which is worth a premium in my book. I don't shop there for myself, but I do get a lot of gifts there.

mrbarolo wrote:Might want to at least visit City Olive in Andersonville. Won't be the cheapest in town, but they're very happy to talk about things and educate the customer. They also love to let you taste, which is worth a premium in my book. I don't shop there for myself, but I do get a lot of gifts there.

City Olive closed recently. They are looking for a new space in the neighborhood. In the meantime, products may be ordered through their website. That doesn't help with the tasting part.

http://www.cityolive.com/

feeley wrote:Lucini Gran Riserva Balsamico looks like the one for me - Thanks alot. Nice price point too.

Your treatment of greenbeans sounds, well, like you said, heaven.

They really are tasty! You do have to watch the vinegar as it reduces, though; there's a point where it's perfect, but it can quickly go sticky and almost hard. At that point, it's not easy to resuscitate it!

Happy shopping!

Olive & Well, Inc.
133 N. Oak Park Avenue
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
P: 708.848.4230
E: info@oliveandwell.com

We bought several people Christmas gifts from this place this year. They have some great flavored balsamics and olive oils. I posted a thread about them a few months ago.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=32829&hilit=Olive+%26+Well

Jonah wrote:I'm addicted to the Balsamic they sell at Old Town Oil. I picked it up all summer at the Evanston farmer's market, but yhey've got a store in Old Town and in Evanston. I think it's about $16 a bottle and it's what I use for every salad I make.

Jonah

I love Old Town Oil. I've not been to the Evanston location, but the one in Old Town is great. You can sample everything and it is all wonderful. They aren't cheap, but they are good. As a bonus, it is just a couple buildings down from The Spice House.

http://www.oldtownoil.com/

Old Town
1520 N. Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Evanston
1924 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60201

And the Evanston location is just across the street from The Spice House on Central Street. They encourage you to try a few "cocktails" of your choice of olive oil with a bit of balsamic on top. Great way to spend an hour or so.

I like Cavalli Balsamic Seasoning. It's the closest I've found to aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena at an (almost) affordable price.

City Olive reopened earlier this year in Roscoe Village and then a new Andersonville location last week.

Roscoe Village
2236 West Roscoe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60618
773-942-6424

Andersonville
5644 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60660
773-942-6424